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Man faces 55 years in prison for murder of girlfriend, 2 children

Posted at 11:14 AM, Jan 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-15 11:18:16-05

ALLEGAN, Mich. — An Allegan County man has pleaded no contest after officials say he murdered his girlfriend and her two children and set their mobile home on fire.

Corey Lee LaValley pleaded no contest Thursday to three counts of second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of 33-year-old Debra Sheppard, 12-year-old Emma McComber and 10-year-old Corey LaValley Jr.

According to the Allegan County Prosecutor’s Office, the victims’ relatives agreed to the plea deal beforehand.

Deb Sheppard (left), Corey LaValley Jr. (center), Emma McComber (right)

Deb Sheppard (left), Corey LaValley Jr. (center), Emma McComber (right)

LaValley faces between 55 and 82 years in prison, according to the prosecutor’s office.  He will be sentenced Feb. 29.

Investigators believe LaValley shot and killed the three victims March 11, 2015 and returned the next day to burn the Dorr Township residence down.   He was arrested March 12 at a home in Charlotte.